roadwarrior

Both reels are popular. I suspect most responses boil down to brand preference. I'm a Shimano guy, so my choice would be the Citica. 8-)

Welcome aboard! 8-)

Geez... These old timers are embarrassing. I didn't like them 45 years ago!

Shimano Citica is my suggestion. MSRP is $120, but you can find it for something less than $100. Keep an eye on our Flea Market. 8-)

Medium Power is a much better "all around" choice. I use ML for white bass, crappie and stocker trout. 8-)

Just ordered some last week from here: http://store.jobabylures.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=J&Category_Code=SKL

Welcome aboard! 8-)

You aren't going to make it to kick-off! ;D ;D ;D ;D

Worms, crickets and baby craws cover it all. 8-)

Oddy enough, I have mine spooled with Yo-Zuri Hybrid #12, purple smoke. :

Specifically, St. Croix Avid AVC70MM. 8-)

For some of us, Shimano is always the answer. 8-)

Exactly! 8-)

Baitcasting gear: Power fishing Spinning tackle: Finesse techniques 8-)

Great pic! For those interested in "matching the hatch", the crawdad coloration is very common in this region for adult dads. For babies, green pumpkin. 8-)

Size only, always. 8-)

David Hayes caught the World Record smallmouth bass in 1955 on Dale Hollow Lake. Some believe the next World Record will be found on the Tennessee River: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html Almost exactly four years ago, November 2004, my fishing partner and best friend, Speedy Madewell, boated a 10 lb beauty. I netted the fish and weighed it, he released the monster! Since that time we have had some luck with other big bass, including the bronzebacks in my avatar (January, 2005). Last Saturday Speedy and I fished the river with limited success: an assortment of species including largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky bass, striper, cats and drum. We may have caught forty fish or so, but no size and most importantly, no browns of note. Around 11:00 things changed. With poor results off either bank and limited water release by the TVA, we moved to the "middle of the river". Actually, we decided to fish along the river channel, defined by navigational buoys. The drop is well defined, but relatively small, only 3-5' in 15-25' water. Still,this represents significant structure for fish in open water. After landing a few nondescript fish, I got a nice strike drifting along the ridge. I set the hook hard and didn't budge the fish. However, there was very little fight and I saw another drum in my future. After 10-15 yards of retrieve, the drum dove and turned into a big catfish, just digging to the bottom, but no run. As I brought the fish closer to the boat, Speedy asked, "Gonna need the net?" Without any emotion I replied, "Yeah, it's big and ugly." Speedy runs the trolling motor on the forward platform of a BayRanger 2180, center console. So, with the net on the floor opposite me, it takes a minute to get set up. With little current, we let the boat drift. This time of year the water clarity on the Tennessee is about 3, maybe 4 feet. As my partner came over to my side he asked, "What's ya got?" I replied, in a steady voice and without inflection, "The biggest f***ing smallmouth I have ever seen." The fish appeared to be a Trident submarine as it rose toward the surface so both of us could get a good look at her, but then she bolted. She initially ran about 15 yards forward, then after a 90 degree turn, another 20 yards toward the middle of the river. My situation was precarious. I'm in the middle of the boat and have to hustle to get to the front, around and over the trolling motor while at the same time maintaining rod position with a sizzling drag. I was starting to have some fun! The pig came up, but did not jump. I got her turned around, but she had already decided she didn't like the Ranger. When she was halfway back, she bolted again, but this time dove deep. It took a few minutes to get her a little closer. Most smallmouth, especially biggun's, tend to fight the best on the first run after a close encounter with the boat, but even later, they never give up. This fine lady staged at rod length, tugged mightily and would not come up. I asked my buddy what he thought I should do? He responded, "Doesn't matter. That fish ain't ready and she's going to do anything she wants!" Well, I've caught a few big fish and I was in no hurry. My rod appeared parabolic with the line straight down into the river. I said to my friend, "This is when you have to believe in your equipment." And then.......the line snapped. stupid, Stupid, STUPID! We weren't catching anything interesting, so although I noticed a burr on my line before the last cast, I didn't do what I always preach: "If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough." When there is any doubt, retie your line, leader or hook. So, could that smallmouth have been the New World Record? I don't know, but it wasn't boated, so it doesn't count. You might ask, "Really now, how much do you think she weighed?" I don't know the answer to that either, but what I can tell you is, she was... HUGE!

We have provided the link for an Alabama license simply for those that may fish other lakes or motor more than 17 miles up river. The Tennessee license is more restrictive. Alabama has reciprocal arrangements with both Mississippi and Tennessee allowing access to all of Pickwick Lake. From the Roadtrip website: Fishing Licenses An Alabama fishing license is all you'll need, regardless of the area you plan to fish on Pickwick Lake, but especially if you plan to fish 17 miles up river from where we're staying (some say past Waterloo is where the best smallie fishing is). Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee have reciprocal agreements for Pickwick lake. However, if you wish to fish the area below Pickwick Dam, a Tennessee license would be needed. A non-resident 7-day Alabama fishing licence $26.00. Here's where you can get your license (scroll down to the "links" section). 8-)

We have provided the link for an Alabama license simply for those that may fish other lakes or motor more than 17 miles up river. The Tennessee license is more restrictive. Alabama has reciprocal arrangements with both Mississippi and Tennessee allowing access to all of Pickwick Lake. 8-)

Rage Tail has a lot of new baits: http://www.ragetail.com/ragetailproducts.html 8-)

Too cool! p.s. Hope to see you two at Pickwick in May. -Kent

All of my insurance has been with State Farm for more than forty years. On those rare occasions when we have had claims, "State Farm is there". Regarding costs, the company is very competitive. Bundling all my coverage under one roof saves money, too. 8-)

In general, I would rather pay full bore retail than get anything for "free". Free costs too much! :

This was my first smallmouth rod. Now I use it for crappie, white bass and stocker trout. It would be fun for smallmouth, but on the Tennessee River we catch a lot of HUGE trash fish. I need a rod that handles everything, big and small. I like the rod a lot! Mine is matched up with a Stella 1000FA. 8-)

Avid AVS66MLF http://www.tackledirect.com/st-croix-avid-avs-series-spinning-rod-avs66mlf.html?zmam=73201554&zmas=2&zmac=51&zmap=st-croix-avid-avs-series-spinning-rod-avs66mlf